Sunday, August 7, 2016

Index ranks Mexico as 2nd happiest country

DD; We are a blog devoted to reporting on the cartel wars and that involves reporting on a lot of violence, murder, kidnapping, and corruption. We have received a number of comments complaining we don't have any "feel good" stories. Well, this story is for you.

Mexico News Daily | Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Mexico News Daily | Wednesday, August 3, 2016

World happiness: green means you're happy, red means you're not.

You won’t find many countries happier than Mexico. In fact, there’s just one and that’s Costa Rica, according to the Happy Planet Index.

Mexico has been ranked No. 2 in the world by the index, described by its creator as a measurement of sustainable well-being.

It was well-being, along with life expectancy, where Mexico scored high. Data gathered by the research firm Gallup measured how satisfied citizens felt with life overall, on a scale of one to 10, and gave Mexico 7.3 for well-being, 11th out of 140 countries.

Life expectancy of 76.4 years put Mexico in 39th place in that category.

Another factor was “inequality of outcomes,” which takes into account inequality within a country in terms of how long people live and how happy they feel based on the distribution of life expectancy and well-being data.

Mexico didn’t fare so well here, coming in 60th out of the 140 countries measured.

A fourth factor was ecological footprint, measuring the average impact each resident places on the environment. Mexico placed 77th.

The study, conducted by the think tank New Economics Foundation, points out that well-being in Mexico is higher than in the United States, despite having an economy that is five times smaller, and an ecological footprint that is one-third that of its neighbor.

The index cites the 2012 introduction of universal health coverage and the 2014 soft drink tax as two examples of “what’s working well in Mexico.” It also mentions the growing political attention being given to environmental sustainability, which has been seen in legislating long-term climate targets and steps to conserve forests and protect biodiversity.

But the index points out that economic inequality is “a massive problem,” saying the top 20% of the population earns more than 13 times as much as the bottom 20%. That and high poverty rates among indigenous peoples and human rights violations represent “significant challenges.”

It also mentions the multi-party agreement called the Pact for Mexico, signed in December 2012, as having been an important step for the country’s future.

Other Happy Planet Index rankings put the U.S. in 108th place and Canada 85th.

Colombia, Vanuatu and Vietnam placed third, fourth and fifth while Togo, Luxembourg and Chad were at the bottom of the list.

The New Economics Foundation describes itself as the United Kingdom’s leading think tank promoting social, economic and environmental justice, and says its goal is to transform the economy so it “works for people and the planet.”

Another happiness index ranked Mexico in 14th place last year. The World Happiness Report, prepared by a United Nations agency, examined income, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom and corruption among 158 countries. Switzerland placed first, and Togo last.

Mexico has been ranked No. 2 in the world by the index, described by its creator as a measurement of sustainable well-being.It
was well-being, along with life expectancy, where Mexico scored high.
Data gathered by the research firm Gallup measured how satisfied
citizens felt with life overall, on a scale of one to 10, and gave
Mexico 7.3 for well-being, 11th out of 140 countries.

Life expectancy of 76.4 years put Mexico in 39th place in that category.Another
factor was “inequality of outcomes,” which takes into account
inequality within a country in terms of how long people live and how
happy they feel based on the distribution of life expectancy and
well-being data.Mexico didn’t fare so well here, coming in 60th out of the 140 countries measured.A fourth factor was ecological footprint, measuring the average impact each resident places on the environment. Mexico placed 77th. - See more at: http://mexiconewsdaily.com/news/index-ranks-mexico-as-2nd-happiest-country/#sthash.3KKKBMpg.dpuf

90 comments:

Wow the US is dark red ! Must mean the US is unhappy . What would they be unhappy about ? Better place to be than almost any place on the planet . Could it be that for the most part they strive to be better ? And they always do get better ! The USA has lead the world in technology for at least the past 150 years . The stamp "made in USA" has always been the mark of excellence . A place where a immigrant can migrate to with very little and become wealthy using his mind and hard work . Then again contentment has its own rewards .

Dude, cut the American exceptionalism crap. The idea of the American Dream is a myth born of insular thought. There are dozens of other countries equally rich in opportunities and accepting of new immigrants, where people can succeed through hard work and ingenuity; places where you don't face death or financial ruin if you get sick; places where it's harder to buy an assault rifle than it is to buy a car.

"The USA has lead the world in technology for at least the past 150 years . The stamp "made in USA" has always been the mark of excellence . A place where a immigrant can migrate to with very little and become wealthy using his mind and hard work . Then again contentment has its own rewards . "

Obtaining luxuries in the US, like those mentioned above, is not difficult compared to other countries. Yet, the population is polluted, living a zombie like lifestyle, working day by day, stressing about whether or not they will be able to pay off their bills, all victimized by their own routine. That's when you realize what freedom actually is, you work to live, not live to work. On the other hand, poverty in Mexico cannot be negated, but It's a place where one can socialize freely, do what one wants to do, not having to deal with countless laws such as in the US.

We Americans bitch and complain about anything and everything fathomable. We are unhappy because we are jealous and envious of what others have. Instead of getting off our asses to obtain what others have we would rather talk shit about those who have more. Mexican are happier because they accept their situation and make the most of it. Mexicans are happy to live their lives. Plus Mexicans are able to do drugs with little or no enforcement. Costa Rica....Well it's Costa Rica. Nothing more needs to be said.

6:08pmI remember a TV show about a decade ago showed Kid Rock and Jesse James ridding mortercycles across Mexico. They both observed how happy Mexicans are despite their lot in life compared to how miserable and self absorbed Americans are.

9:27 and 4:17-I couldn't agree with you guys more.I subscribe to the magazine 'International Living'.It's all about people like ourselves moving to foreign countries and lots of interviews with ex-patriates [like Americans and Canadians,Brits etc. retiring in places like Mexico].A lot of them say life is much better in places like Mexico.They say previously life is run,run,run the the stress of high pressured jobs and making money to catch up with the Jone'es seems to be more important than family.You are right the Mexicans accept their lot in life so the pressures off and they focus on family and celebrations [so many holidays in Mexico for a fiesta].

Paid statistics do lie, epn's version of saving mexico demonstrated one thing, no matter how much propaganda he buys by the millions of dollars, shit ain't flying, I have married the word statistics to Charlie Brown's "eat your statistics" wisdom.There are many problems in mexico that need solving, and according to american engineer Edward Deming, 90% of those problems is because of 10% of the people, and all of them are the rich and the politicians, and the elite of all mexico, some are "foreigners, pious, religious and democratic"

I went to rosarito bc. Its really nice. Maybe yall instead of thinking of killings shootouts drugs whatever yall hear about mexico think of the positive. Think about the victories that they have in wars with countries that wanted to take over or go over there. What about america? Some states here has crimes killing drugs shootouts. Why not read the newspaper about the crimes here in usa. Mexico has problems but I didnt see that at rosarito and tijuana bc.

It was ranked #1 in 2004 I read it in a maxim magazine when I was in the military. Mexicans are happy people that don't do much worring or complaining, that's why the Mexican gov. Takes advantage of them.

5:28 did you see much mexican merchandise from mexican designers on the $28 000.00 range?--Maxim's advertises for money, expensive crap, like epn like to buy at Biján by the couple of million dollars once in a while, tourism ads for mexico would be no exception, and there is no beauty on their expensive models, really, I know, I have a subscription somebody gifted me, I usually steal my magazines you know? Mexico is spending A LOT OF MONEY IN PROPAGANDA IN MEXICO AND OUTSIDE, BUYERS BEWARE...

Very true, there is little they can do to change Mexico, so they have given up. Do booze and drugs and be happy. I moved to the US and have to say I was very happy in Mexico Drunk all the time, no DUT+I's. It was great. Here a lot police. Course in Mexico it is not safe anymore, Miss Mexico, but no place to rise a family

7:50 what is funnier is that confronted with the mexican military and poolice paid and armed by the US with free billions and billions of dollars and more billions and billions in high interest loans for benefit on mexican pooliticians and amerikkkan middlemen, the mexicans go to their favorite weapon, smile and laugh it off...--Black slaves used to happily singing the blues away, by singing the blues all over the plantations, where else?

How quickly it turns into US v Mexico shit,yet we are all such nice people and love one another,salt of the earth?Dont think so.7.50.How dare you say that..Look at the nationalistic bullshit on show..Viva Mexico cabrones and they all want to leave Mexico..Give me a break from small minded nationalism.A country is land where you are born,its all good sticking up for it but dont be a sucka for it?

3:24 yep, black african and american born slaves singing the blues on the plantations were real happy mexicans...Just because one cabrón says: "¡viva mexico cabrones!" you are sooo quick to drop your chones to run to his happy arms, but do not expect that from 130 million mexicans living in mexico's mass grave or on the US running from it...--I loove the way dogs looove their masters, no matter what...

México #2 happy.. hahahaha I don't think so maybe in a dream the reality es another thing.. my family and y have friend former Mexican soldier he told me mexico is a mess the insecurity. At 9 pm the streets are empy..dangerous In michoacan

I believe it and have always said it. Even though people in Mexico dont make much money, they have happiness. They get more vacation and actually take the time off. A lot of 3 day weekends. Sundays are always spent in company of family. Christmas and new years are celebrated. Spring break is also a big deal. In America all we do is work and on weekends recover. Paying bills all the time. Stuck in traffic everyday stressed out. We are slaves in this country. And even though mexican don't have a brand new car and a 2 story house, they learned that having material things, doesn't guarantee happiness. I work 12 hr shift sometime 7 days a week. Yeah i have money. But my family in mexico make way less then me but they celebrate more then i can.

I agree. Just got back from 10 days in mexico and drove through jalisco, nayarit and zacatecas I actually passed by puente grande at 6 am on friday through el periferico on my way to the airport. Stopped in several small towns and enjoyed it!What cartel problems. You're probably more at risk in your own neighborhood here in the US.

If you love "your mexico" sooo much, work your 12 hours a day, put your money together and go back for good, I had 5 friends, businessmen, who sold out and went back to their mexico, all five of them from one single american street who sold their businesses, died very soon, not from natural deaths, al 5 were murdered, on different dates and places, and there are more stories, many are worse that this, but they don't get paid to print them in worldly magazines for the rich...

8:55-After travelling Mexico for more than a year I tell Americans in the Southwest States where there is tons of Mexicans that the Mexicans are different in Mexico than in the US.They are definitely more friendlier in Mexico and most have no interest in going to US contradictory to what most Americans think.Studies have shown they change after being in the US awhile.They no longer have their social supports [family] and end up like most chasing that American Dream work,work work and feel totally lost even though they have money.

5:18; Thank you. It's nice to read comments from people that actually visit Mexico and know what they speak of. I have home in upper class American cities where nobody knows or talks to neighbors but when I visit my home in Mazatlan or family in la sierra or Culiacan the neighbors visit on street in evening, watch kids play football and baseball and seem much happier.

Canadiana. Of course Mexicans in the south west are not that friendly. I can speak for myself, have you seen all the racism going on the south west. Look at Arizona and all Joe arpaio crap just to maj a an example. I was born here and i still don't feel welcomed with the white folk. They have to much hate. I have been to many parts Of the world and everybody changed when they live in U.S. I was really happy in Japan and Italy because the people are friendly, kind and respectfull. If you see a Japanese inb the U.S they are not like I'm Japan or even the Italians on Italy. The U.S does not welcome foreigners even though this country is made of foreigners. Lol too much hate from the white man

Give me a fucking break. The 2010 census just completed had the majority of 5 year olds in America are Latino. I fucking can't wait until latino's are the MAJORITY in the USA and you will have to stop blaming whitey for all your problems. You will also get to inherit the blacks blaming whitey for everything.

60 billion dollars a year is sent to fucking Mexico via western union etc... it's the number 2 contributor to Mexican economy. I have a ton of Mexican friends and NONE of them feel whitey screws them like you do. You're just a sour puss. Sheriff Joe fights ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION. Not mexicans.

i bet you that the mexican govt paid a "Mordida" to the makers of this poll to bump them to 2nd place, lol jajaja... now makes me rethink every poll i have seen where i shake my head... so my question is how about denmark? i taught Denmark has been #1 all the time, and so im guessing the fine print is that its the 2nd amongst Iraq, lybya, afhanistan, and north korea then i will believe it, lol... im going to call this story BS Bullsheise!!!

8:57 they calculate the index by making it up, as long as epn is not mentioned, or his governors and their drug trafficking and death squads, their corruption, graft, and robberies, all that is left is the happy comics that makes everybody laugh no matter what...Fack POSitive thinking...

As soon as I crossed the border into Tijuana I felt better. Bells were ringing from the vendors' carts. The food tasted better. The colors on the houses were brighter. Even though there was plastic on the beach (this was Rosarito), the foam on the waves was pure white, not like Diego. Yeah, there is something about Mexico that is not in the U.S.

In mexico they smile to earn your tourism dollars, like an orphan dog hoping to be adopted out of hell, or a ho looking for tonight's meal in cd juarez...--Have you checked the suicide rates of poor mexicans in the biggest mexican cities? --Sometimes they get tired of selling roasted pumpkin seeds...

my parents and uncles and extended fam all hail from Zacatecas. little ranchos . far away from any modern town . thats why they all immigrated to usa. to have money . they have never gone back to better or help out those ranchos . only to the fiestas cada año . Hate to genaralize but this is the same story for many of you mexican americans like me . really it is . lets acknowledge the fact that 90% of mexicans dont care of social issues . they escape and frankly many more that havent left sure wish they had a green card to come to usa.

Maybe you've never been to zacatecas but in Nochistlan you can see how people have gone back to help their community. It happens more often than not but a lot of people do keep their hand earned wealth to themselves which is fine.

Mexican governors are una pinchi bola de rateros lambehuevos and incompetentes, but they always.come to the US to beg from the people they forced to expatriate to "please, send money, we need and appreciate your dollars, hermanos" as if we were unos hijos de puta tambien...

"Costa Rica had landing strips to load and unload and refuel CIA planes loaded with contraband arms, money and cocaine, mariguana, and money launderers, it is also where rafail caro quintero went to hide after murdering kiki camarena, while always claiming innocence) and enjoy Sarah Cosio's tender kisses--Costa Rica has been full of shit for a while too...

Happiness will get you killed. Mexico proves that theory on a daily basis. How does happiness keep you and your family safe. Security issues should be added to the index. Could the US being in constant conflict around the world make a difference? As an American I will never be happy because I will never be content with my situation. I will be happy when I'm dead. In the mean time I will be grinding everyday to give my children a better future.

@2:05. I selected your comment to reply to because it so starkly illustrates the difference in outlook of the Mexican people and many of commenters who have echoed some variant of what you said.

Do you work to live or do you live to work? Most Mexican families would answer that they work to live and provide for their families. They value more than anything else the time spent and the relationships with family and friends.

Your comment about not being happy until you are dead and you will be "grinding everyday" to give your children a better future tells me your priority is accumulating "things" or money to leave your children.

There have been studies where older senior citizens have been asked to write down their most vivid memories of their life. Nearly always they didn't write down the materialistic "things" they acquired, but experiences in their life. Happy times with friends and family.

Children too as they grow older will tell you the most treasured thing their father left them was time he spent with them. A good illustration of this is how many people have said to themselves after a father or mother passed away "I would give everything I have for another day or another week with them".

I get what you are saying DD but let me add this. I work hard during the week but I am also driving my 15 year old on the weekend 5 hours one way to practice and play with her elite soccer team in a metro area. I do this so my my soccer player can live her dream. My mother did it for me so in turn I do it for her. My 17 year old wants to be a doctor so I am busting my tail to allow her to live that dream without taking out a bunch of student loans. My wife is a stay at home mom because I work 60 to 80 hours a week. I do it because my family is worth it. I guess I shouldn't say I am not happy but happiness to me is drinking beer, watching sports while I am BBQing. Obviously the bills don't get paid if I choice happiness over my family. I feel I work to give and not work to live or live to work. My kids see how hard I work and they in turn work repay my hard by excelling academically and athletically at their schools. When it's my time to leave this earth my kids will know the price I paid for my "happiness" was repaid to them. It's a dog eat dog world more so in the US than in Mexico and I feel it's my responsiblity to guide them where they want to be. I have no regrets and I never will because my blood is worth it. When my job is done raising them maybe I will be happy when they buy the wife and I a retirement home in Costa Rica.

--There are a lot of fotos of her on the net, demand something more interesting, like la chiva fotos, or a canadian or two, havanna pura, and texas granma retired and never sent a foto, that would have been nice and interesting...

i hope this is some kind of joke, with the economy in the toilet, failed energy reforms, increasing violence, corruption and nationwide teacher's union (biggest in latin america) struggle to bring down the new reform, i dont think so

@4:40 Evidently you didn't read the article very closely. The report was done by the think tank New Economics Foundation. The UN did a study which pretty much validates what that foundation reported. Gallop Poll also came up with similar findings.

Universal health care in mexico is just another excuse to steal from the public coffers, billions of pesos spent on the cheapest mierdicine they could find, by everybody from all parties, the government then files for emergency y disaster relief to steal more and more...

12 million Mexicans cannot be wrong, they moved to the US to be unhappy. I am in Mexico I am so Happy I am not rich so I cannot get to the US and be unhappy. But I am Happy to know Pena Nieto is leading our Mexico

Most comments are against Mexico. It's really simple in Mexico life is simple,things are cheap,they have more freedom,family togetherness,less taxes,natural food GMO free,ETC! In the US life is complicated,things are expensive,less freedom,family's are independent,more taxes,GMO everything,ETC! Really simple quote (work to live don't live to work)